West Ham and England legend Sir Geoff Hurst has said that Manuel Pellegrini will find it difficult to keep hold of Declan Rice in the long-term.
In an interview with the Daily Star, the former World Cup-winning striker said that the Hammers might be powerless to stop their star midfielder for leaving for a top-six club in the Premier League in the future if he continues to develop at the pace is currently at.
Last season the 20-year-old midfielder became an integral part of Pellegrini’s team as the youngster became the anchor for the West Ham midfield, winning him an England call-up as well as rumours from the likes of Sky Sports News that Manchester United were interested in signing Rice.
Hurst said: “Of course the big danger its any young player at any club, and at West Ham, outside the top six is when one of the top six boys comes sniffing along. Then it becomes a huge problem of whether you can keep him.
“With West Ham or any club outside the top six, when the top six come calling it’s difficult to keep them. But in terms of his play, it looks a huge, huge opportunity for him to progress, at West Ham or elsewhere, and within the national set-up.”
The 1966 World Cup-winning striker also believes that Rice could revert to playing at centre-back, the position the youngster played during his time in the youth academy, with Hurst saying: “People are saying he (Rice) looks possibly more likely to be groomed as a central defender who can tackle, head, he’s composed at the back.
“That may well be his best spot. If he progresses in that position with his attitudes so far, he’s going to be an outstanding player for this country.”
